The National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, has described the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led faction of the party otherwise known as “New PDP” as a storm in a teacup.
Tukur, who made this known in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Saturday during the inauguration of the Rivers State chapter of the PDP National Youth wing of the Rural Empowerment and Advocacy Project, REAP, noted that the party would continue to remain focused in the face of attempts by some of its members to break it up.
The Baraje faction of the party have insisted as part of their demands, that Mr. Tukur be removed as national chairman of the party; President Goodluck Jonathan should respect the agreement he signed with some PDP governors prior to the 2011 presidential elections that he would not seek a second term in office; and Governor Rotimi Amaechi be removed from suspension among others.
But Tukur, who was represented by the National Youth Leader of the PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Maibasira, warned that PDP members who were not ready to subject themselves to internal party discipline could leave.
He said, “We are open for reconciliation, however, anyone who feels he is too big to subject himself or herself to party discipline can leave to where there is no internal party discipline.
“The PDP remains focused. As usual, the PDP remains the party to beat in 2015 and we will perform better at the polls if we are united.
“The courts in interpreting the nation’s constitution declared that there is no party as the New PDP. The Independent National Electoral Commission in interpreting the Electoral Act has also insisted that there is nothing like the “New PDP”.
The PDP national chairman also urged members in the state to support Mr. Jonathan if he decides to seek re-election in 2015.
-PUNCH
